The National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) intends to publish a Request for Applications (RFA) in the fall of 2007 that will solicit multi-project grant proposals with a required proteomics core to focus on proteomics approaches to address the complex interactions between drugs of abuse, host responses and HIV pathogenesis. NIDA-funded research has provided evidence that drugs of abuse affect immune function and the pathogenesis of HIV/AIDS (particularly in the central nervous system). NIDA is especially interested in collaborative, innovative proteomics multi-project proposals likely to advance the understanding of how drugs of abuse or pharmacotherapeutic treatments for addiction impact susceptibility to infection, initial immune or inflammatory responses to infection, and inflammatory disorders resulting from initiation of antiretroviral therapy (e.g. IRIS). In addition, studies of processes involved in the progression of AIDS and related complications, including neuroAIDS or co-occurring opportunistic infections, are encouraged. Studying the interactions between drugs of abuse and/or drug abuse treatment medications, antiretroviral treatment drugs and host response also would be appropriate areas of research under this initiative. Proteomics technologies are expected to provide a more complete view of the cellular and molecular mechanisms of these interrelationships, which ultimately will help to identify potential therapeutic targets as well as diagnostic and prognostic indicators that could inform clinical research.